FOOD AND WINE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sitella Winery's

Swan Valley sparkling rated as the best in Australia
Sitella Winery's 2009 Pinot Noir Chardonnay was recently rated as Top Australian Sparkling by Australia's leading wine publication, Gourmet Traveller Wine, with a score of 96/100. Family owned and operated, Sitella Winery has been making wines for 20 years, sourcing its fruit from vines in the Swan Valley – located a 25-minute from Perth CBD, and Margaret River and Frankland River regions in the State's South West.

Food and wine trails showcase best of WA produce
Fourteen self-guided food and wine trails in Perth and the South West have been unveiled, encouraging locals and visitors to WA to walk, cycle or drive to key attractions along the routes, sampling local gourmet produce along the way. Discover the Italian influence in Fremantle on the Fremantle Gusto Italiano – A Taste of Italy walking trail; get the family together for a day filled with animals, natural attractions and farm-fresh produce on The Denmark Farm Gate Trail; or meander around a popular South West destination by bike on the Margaret River Cycle Food and Beverage Trail. The trails vary between a half or full day - featuring both popular destinations and some hidden gems – while passing through scenic natural and urban landscapes. For more information, visit this link.

Taste Great Southern headline chef announced
Winner of MasterChef 2010, Destination Flavour television host and cookbook author Adam Liaw will headline Taste Great Southern from April 4 to 14, 2019. In its 15th year of celebrating the food and wine of WA's Great Southern region, the festival features a program of more than 30 culinary events over 11 days, including degustations, long lunches, community markets and free events. Adam Liaw will make appearances at key festival events, including the Women of the Region Lunch in Albany, the Rockcliffe Night Market in Denmark and a special event planned for the Field of Light art installation in Albany. More details to be announced in the coming months.

New Perth eats and drinks
The culinary offerings at Yagan Square continue to grow with the opening of Ficus on the upper level of the public precinct. The farm-to-plate philosophy means fresh seasonal produce sourced from the South West comes together in an a la carte and sharing style menu offering, complemented by an exciting cocktail list, as well as an extensive range of local beer, wine and spirits.

A new coastal café has opened overlooking the ocean at Waterman's Bay, just a short drive north of Perth. The Little Bay is a fresh, welcoming and bright addition to Perth's cafe scene. Menu items are insta-worthy as well as delicious, and the café is fully licensed, making breakfast cocktails a reality.

Popular Perth restaurant Monsterella is soon to have a little sister. Set to open in February 2019, Mummucc' will serve as a waiting room for Monsterella, playing the part of small bar. The new venue will have its own menu, plus pizzas from its older sister able to be ordered for those wanting to dine in a more intimate venue. The restaurants are both family-owned, which is reflected in the name Mummucc' - meaning 'mother' in Abruzzese - and is the loving name given to the owner's grandmother.